The limits of our language are the limits of our world. –Ludwig Wittgenstein

Textbooks:

Tovani, C. (2004). Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?: Content Comprehension Grades 6-12. Portland, MA: Stenhouse Publishers. (Required).

Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Art by Ellen Forney. NY: Little, Brown and Company. (Required)

Select a textbook in your field that is currently in use that you will use throughout this course to develop materials. (Required)

A Faculty Pack has been prepared for you. These are available for you at the UC Bookstore. Please purchase one as soon as possible so that you can begin the readings on time. In all probability, we will be adding to these as we find things to share throughout the course. (Required)

Hadaway, N.L. & McKenna, M.J. (Eds.). (2007). Breaking Boundaries with Global Literature: Celebrating Diversity in K-12 Classrooms. Newark, DE: International Reading Association. (Optional; best suited for social and physical sciences.)

Goals for the Course:

By the end of this semester you will:

1. Understand the expanded definition of the nature of literacy and its social and cultural impact on a diverse and multicultural society.
2. Understand how students learn most effectively and apply this understanding to classroom methods and activities
3. Create a variety of meaningful classroom activities, materials, & resources for future use, which guide and assist learning, foster critical thinking, and incorporate literacy skills.
4. Be familiar with a variety of ways to assess student abilities and plan for instruction accordingly
5. Understand the principles of and be able to demonstrate pedagogical uses of academic service learning.
6. Understand the 7 Essential Understandings of the Montana Indian Education for All Act.
7. Be able to bring learners and texts together such that it results in active student involvement and collaboration with both the classroom and larger community.
8. Uderstand the difference and achieve a balance between subject content and learning processes.
9. Develop the practice of critical reflection in your professional life.
10. Challenge and reinforce your own beliefs and feelings about teaching and participating in a democracy.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, ATTENDANCE, AND EVALUATION

Requirements

1. Complete the assigned readings and be prepared for class discussions. (20 points)
2. Prepare a collection of activities and responses for a textbook of your choice from your teaching field. (25 points)
3. Complete academic service learning project, presentation, & reflective paper. (40 points)
4. Complete a collection of Writing Tasks/Prompts that you will use with your content area students. (25 points)
5. Prepare a packet of activities that will be compiled with your book club members. (30 points)
6. Develop a media literacy ?Caf